Son arrested in beating to death of parents

Published: 2016 August 28 15:04:24 (9351 Views)

The 28-year-old son of a married couple from New Jersey, US, is charged in their deaths.

Ryan Coles, 28, faces two murder charges in the death of Edward Coles Jr., 58, and his wife, Rosemarie, 55, who were found beaten to death at their West Deptford home by a relative, according to Gloucester County Prosecutor's Office.

The couple was bludgeoned to death with "blunt head trauma," according to the South Jersey Times.

The relative who found them tried calling the Coles, the former owners of a beloved music store in Mantua Township, late Thursday, but the couple never picked up the phone.

The family member stopped by the Coles' home at around 11:30 a.m. Friday and called West Deptford authorities after finding the couple dead.

Coles was still inside the home by the time police arrive. Police believe he beat his parents "with his hands and an unknown object," authorities detailed in court documents obtained by the Times.

He was taken to Inspira Hospital in Woodbury for a medical evaluation and now faces weapon charges, in addition to murder, in his parents' death.

Neighbours said police were often called to the home, but it was not immediately clear what prompted the attack.